The Dell Rapids Quarriers football team is striving for a four-peat, but another state championship isn’t how head coach Steve Hansen defines success for this year’s team.

Rather, Hansen said, at the risk of sounding cliché, he wants to see this year’s crop of athletes make strides in becoming better athletes, students and people.

“Championships are hard to win, so if you base your whole season on that, you’re going to fail more than you’ll be successful,” he said. “That’s our goal, but our plan is to get better each week and let the chips fall where they may. It’s not fair to these players to make that the only goal.”

But that doesn’t mean Hansen’s team doesn’t covet another trip to the Dome. Losing 19 starters to graduation, Hansen said the 18 seniors on this year’s squad are eager to prove themselves.
“They’ve been waiting a long time for their opportunity, so I’m hoping they’re ready to step up and make the most of it,” he said.

Under center for the Quarriers is Tanner Solberg, a senior who’s spent two years leading the junior varsity squad. Last year’s JV team was undefeated, and Hansen is hoping those results translate to success on the varsity team.

“It’s comforting as a coach to have experience (at quarterback),” Hansen said.

The Quarriers open the season with a trip to Madison, where they’ll take on the Bulldogs Friday.